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Mucin gene expression in human male urogenital tract epithelia.

ABSTRACT: Mucins are large, hydrophilic glycoproteins that protect wet-surfaced epithelia from pathogen invasion as well as provide lubrication. At least 17 mucin genes have been cloned to date. This study sought to determine the mucin gene expression profile of the human male urogenital tract epithelia, to determine if mucins are present in seminal fluid and to assess the effect of androgens on mucin expression.Testis, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate, bladder, urethra and foreskin were assessed for mucin expression by RT-PCR (for 14 mucin genes) and immunohistochemistry (nine antibodies for five mucins). Epithelia of the vas deferens, prostate and urethra expressed the greatest number of mucins, each with mRNA for between 5 and 8 mucins. Except for MUC20 in epididymis, mRNA for MUC1 and MUC20, both membrane-associated mucins, was detected in all tissues analysed. By comparison, MUC6 was more restricted in expression, being primarily detected in seminal vesicle. MUC1, MUC5B and MUC6 were detected in seminal fluid samples by immunoblot analysis. Androgens had no effect on mucin expression in cultured human prostatic epithelial cells.Each region of urogenital tract epithelium expressed a unique mucin gene repertoire. Secretory mucins are present in seminal fluid, and androgens do not appear to regulate mucin gene expression in prostatic epithelial cells in culture.

SUBMITTER: Russo CL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2893033 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Mucin gene expression in human male urogenital tract epithelia.

Russo Cindy Leigh CL Spurr-Michaud Sandra S Tisdale Ann A Pudney Jeffrey J Anderson Deborah D Gipson Ilene K IK

Human reproduction (Oxford, England) 20060922 11

<h4>Background</h4>Mucins are large, hydrophilic glycoproteins that protect wet-surfaced epithelia from pathogen invasion as well as provide lubrication. At least 17 mucin genes have been cloned to date. This study sought to determine the mucin gene expression profile of the human male urogenital tract epithelia, to determine if mucins are present in seminal fluid and to assess the effect of androgens on mucin expression.<h4>Methods and results</h4>Testis, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesic ...[more]

PMID: 16997931

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Project description:Background: The molecular basis of segment specific epithelial functions of the stomach and bowel has not been established. Regionally unique molecular properties of epithelial cells can be identified using cell-specific gene expression in each epithelial region by comparative mRNA analysis. Aim: To describe segment-specific epithelial mRNA content by comparative mRNA analysis of purified epithelial cell suspensions of stomach, small and large bowel. Results: 12% of all annotated genes show segment specific enrichment. The gastric (>3000 genes) and ileal (519 genes) mucosa show the most diverse expression profile. (a) Stomach: The gastric mucosa expresses the machinery for acid secretion, digestive enzyme release, and hormone release by gastric enteroendocrine cells. Associated with acid secretion is a specific set of K+, Cl-, and bicarbonate channels. Novel is a pathway for glucose and fatty acid sensing, iodine and glutamate uptake, and taurine synthesis. Specific sets of transcription factors control epithelial (Barx1, Runx) and enteroendocrine (FoxA2/N4) cell differentiation. (b) Small Bowel: This epithelium expresses genes coding for a unique fructose/glucose uptake and utilization mechanism. Enteroendocrine signalling to the gastric function is present. The upper portion expresses genes for iron uptake, bicarbonate secretion, and detoxification of food contents. Epithelial differentiation is transcriptionally controlled by Meis2/Pdx1 and Onecut 2. Expression of digestive enzymes, lipid/bile acid uptake and utilization increases distally. The ileal epithelium is also involved in innate and acquired immune defence, regulation of motility, and electrolyte and water re-absorption. Transcriptional regulation of enterocyte and goblet cell differentiation is mainly controlled by increasing expression of Cdx1 and 2. (c) Colon: This epithelium is mainly involved in Ca++-, K+, and water re-absorption, fatty acid uptake and sensing, and innate and acquired immune defence. Epithelial differentiation is controlled by Hox transcription factors in addition to Cdx1/2. Conclusion: This regional survey of gene expression by the GI tract epithelium reveals unique epithelial properties, raising several important questions as to the role of the proteins encoded in gut physiology.

Project description:BackgroundExposure to wood smoke (WS) increases the risk for chronic bronchitis more than exposure to cigarette smoke (CS), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.ObjectiveThe effect of WS and CS on mucous cell hyperplasia in mice and in human primary airway epithelial cells (AECs) was compared with replicate the findings in human cohorts. Responsible WS constituents were identified to better delineate the pathway involved, and the role of a tumor protein p53 (Tp53) gene polymorphism was investigated.MethodsMice and primary human AECs were exposed to WS or CS and the signaling receptor and pathway were identified using short hairpin structures, small molecule inhibitors, and Western analyses. Mass spectrometric analysis was used to identify active WS constituents. The role of a gene variant in Tp53 that modifies proline to arginine was examined using nasal brushings from study participants in the Lovelace Smokers Cohort, primary human AECs, and mice with a modified Tp53 gene.ResultsWS at 25-fold lower concentration than CS increased mucin expression more efficiently in mice and in human AECs in a p53 pathway-dependent manner. Study participants who were homozygous for p53 arginine compared with the proline variant showed higher mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) mRNA levels in nasal brushings if they reported WS exposure. The WS constituent, oxalate, increased MUC5AC levels similar to the whole WS extract, especially in primary human AECs homozygous for p53 arginine, and in mice with a modified Tp53 gene. Further, the anion exchange protein, SLC26A9, when reduced, enhanced WS- and oxalate-induced mucin expression.DiscussionThe potency of WS compared with CS in inducing mucin expression may explain the increased risk for chronic bronchitis in participants exposed to WS. Identification of the responsible compounds could help estimate the risk of pollutants in causing chronic bronchitis in susceptible individuals and provide strategies to improve management of lung diseases. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9446.

Dataset Information

Mucin gene expression in human male urogenital tract epithelia.

Publications

Mucin gene expression in human male urogenital tract epithelia.

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